The draw for the EFL Trophy Group stage has taken place this morning, Thursday (June 22).

Former Portsmouth and Lincoln boss Danny Cowley and ex-Hull City star Michael Dawson made the draw live on Sky Sports News.

Mehmet Ali's Arsenal U21s were drawn in Southern Group G - and will face trips to Exeter City, Reading and Swindon Town during the forthcoming 2023-24 season. 

After an impressive group campaign that saw wins against Northampton Town and Cambridge United, the Young Guns reached the competition's round-of-16 stage last season, but Stevenage beat Arsenal U21s 3-2 at Broadhall Way.

During season 2021-22, under then boss Kevin Betsy, the North Londoners reached the quarter-final stage, before suffering a 1-0 defeat to League One side Wigan Athletic.

Key Dates

All first group-stage ties will be played the week commencing September 4, 2023.

The rest of the group-stage schedule is as follows:

Matchday two - week commencing, October 9, 2023

Matchday three - week commencing, November 11, 2023

Matchday four - week commencing, December 4, 2023

Should we progress beyond the group stage, the knockout stage schedule is as follows:

Round of 16 - week commencing January 8, 2024

Quarter-final - week commencing January 29, 2024

Semi-final - week commencing February 19, 2024

Final - Sunday, April 7, 2024

Ticket details will be announced in due course.